About Us
Meanda Uganda is an independent adventure tour company based in Entebbe, Uganda. We are owned and operated by Nick Brant, a British adventurer, and his wife Patrah Namuwonge, a Ugandan entrepreneur. We specialize in offbeat overland tours around Uganda and wider East Africa. We don’t aim to be different, we just are.
Nick is a retired British architect with a lifetime passion for adventurous road trips. From early days of hitch-hiking and cycling; through cars, caravans and campervans to more recent adventures by 4×4 trucks and adventure motorcycles, a common theme has been the need to be self-sufficient – camp fire, camp cooking and camp bed – spurning conventional accommodation for a campervan in Cornwall, a cot under the stars in the deserts of Oman, or a rooftent amongst the hippos in Africa. Over many years, Nick has organized and led countless tours throughout Europe, the Middle East and East Africa.
Whilst living in Dubai in 2012, Nick met Patrah, a Ugandan entrepreneur with a shared love of adventure. They married in 2017 and settled in Uganda in 2020. Now, after a decade visiting East Africa and dozens of road trips around Uganda, Nick and Patrah established Meanda Uganda in 2020 as a means both to celebrate the overland lifestyle whilst also hosting visitors around the wonders of this place called Uganda.
Sadly, we have worn out our mark 1 base vehicle – a Mitsubishi Pajero as featured – in the course of completing numerous tours of Uganda and the wider region with a wide variety of friends and clients from around the world. Happy to say – all have loved the experience. Now, we are taking delivery of our prototype mark 2 base vehicle, a specially developed Toyota Hilux with an enviable specification – see Vehicles HERE. This has been designed to optimize the camping experience in Uganda. Safe and comfortable; quick and easy; compact and capable.
Check us out on our partner site – SAFARIBOOKINGS
General notes
Flexibility
Our tour model is highly personalized and enables flexibility which we aim to build into all our trips. We are happy to discuss available options (with additional cost if applicable) before and during each trip.
2-8
Our tour groups range from 2 to 8 people based only on your group size. You will not be joining a larger group on arrival. Larger groups become cheaper per person, so go on, check out if friends or family want to join you.
5-80
Suitable for ages 5 to 80. Minimum age for park entry is 5 years but please note gorilla and chimpanzee trekking is restricted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to age 15 and over – though in special circumstances we can apply for a waiver. Children remain the responsibility of parents or guardians at all times.
Families
Special rates can be arranged for families with children based, for example, on reduced park entry fees and the capacity to fit 2 adults and two children within the base vehicle and the large roof tent. Please contact for details.
Special Needs
Special needs. We are pleased to accommodate special needs from dietary preferences to learning or physical difficulties though these need to be carefully strategized within the limits of our travel and accommodation model – happy to discuss.
Availability
Specified lodges and camps are subject to availability and may be substituted with equivalent.
Camping
Camping is fun, especially if – like us – you are well prepared. Accommodation for the first 4 to 6 persons is in two large (iKamper) roof tents. Additional persons in up to two comfortable ground tents. All other camp gear provided. You can find “what to expect” HERE
Travel
Travel for up to 3 persons in specialist Meanda Uganda Hilux base vehicle. Travel for 4 or more in combination of two vehicles with radio comms. Driver or self-drive options available for second vehicle.
Muck in
The camp set up is easy but we all muck in on cooking and packing up. A helper can be included on trips of 4 or more.
Menus
Menus will be made available upon booking and can be tailored to suit dietary preferences. These are prepared in advance by our resident chef. Alternatively, for those who enjoy cooking, we are happy to bring ingredients for you to self-cater during the trip.
Accessibility
Some of this is cutting edge stuff. It is rare, but some routes and camp locations can be inaccessible or inadvisable due to adverse weather conditions, in which case you will be consulted on alternatives.
Game Viewing
Game viewing is an art, not a science. We use specialist guides and rangers at specific locations to enhance the experience and increase sightings, but more exclusive animals such as lion and especially leopard and cheetah can be elusive.
Flexibility
2-8
5-80
Families
Special needs
Availability
Camping
Travel
Muck in
Menus
Accessibility
Game viewing
Our tour model is highly personalized and enables flexibility which we aim to build into all our trips. We are happy to discuss available options (with additional cost if applicable) before and during each trip.
Our tour groups range from 2 to 8 people based only on your group size. You will not be joining a larger group on arrival. Larger groups become cheaper per person, so go on, check out if friends or family want to join you.
Suitable for ages 5 to 80. Minimum age for park entry is 5 years but please note gorilla and chimpanzee trekking is restricted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to age 15 and over – though in special circumstances we can apply for a waiver. Children remain the responsibility of parents or guardians at all times.
Special rates can be arranged for families with children based, for example, on reduced park entry fees and the capacity to fit 2 adults and two children within the base vehicle and the large roof tent. Please contact for details.
Special needs. We are pleased to accommodate special needs from dietary preferences to learning or physical difficulties though these need to be carefully strategized within the limits of our travel and accommodation model – happy to discuss.
Specified lodges and camps are subject to availability and may be substituted with equivalent.
Camping is fun, especially if – like us – you are well prepared. Accommodation for the first 4 to 6 persons is in two large (iKamper) roof tents. Additional persons in up to two comfortable ground tents. All other camp gear provided. You can find “what to expect” HERE
Travel for up to 3 persons in specialist Meanda Uganda Hilux base vehicle. Travel for 4 or more in combination of two vehicles with radio comms. Driver or self-drive options available for second vehicle.
The camp set up is easy but we all muck in on cooking and packing up. A helper can be included on trips of 4 or more.
Menus will be made available upon booking and can be tailored to suit dietary preferences. These are prepared in advance by our resident chef. Alternatively, for those who enjoy cooking, we are happy to bring ingredients for you to self-cater during the trip.
Some of this is cutting edge stuff. It is rare, but some routes and camp locations can be inaccessible or inadvisable due to adverse weather conditions, in which case you will be consulted on alternatives.
Game viewing is an art, not a science. We use specialist guides and rangers at specific locations to enhance the experience and increase sightings, but more exclusive animals such as lion and especially leopard and cheetah can be elusive.
Vehicles
Pajero
Hilux
We’ve had a lot of fun with our mark 1 base vehicle, the Mitsubishi Pajero – a trusted steed and veteran of countless adventure challenges around the region. But she’s getting tired and all good things must come to an end. So we’re scaling up and taking delivery of our next generation – the Toyota Hilux – legendary performance and reliability, and specially prepared to a challenging specification:
Travel
Driver and up to 3 passengers – or a family of four - in comfort and safety. Walkie talkie comms to additional vehicle for larger groups. Quiet interior, comfortable seating, front and rear air conditioning. Excellent sound system for your own playlist. Wifi, charging points and 220v AC.
Game Viewing
Access ladder to roof top platform and bench seat with lap straps for excellent game viewing in parks.
Safety
New condition and excellently maintained. All usual safety features plus bull bars, additional driving lights, fire extinguisher, first aid kit. Two spare tyres (for remote, or trips over 8 days), tyre pressure monitors, compressor and puncture repair kit. Tool kit and recovery equipment.
Camping
Spacious and comfortable iKamper roof tent for up to 2 adults and 2 children. Ample cargo space for luggage and all camp equipment including comfortable camp chairs and dining table. On board water supply and hot shower with duck boards and privacy cubicle. Pull out awning shade/rain cover. Ample dual electrics for night-time lighting and charging.
Kitchen
Ample storage for supplies of food and beverages. Gas cooker, bbq, separate fridge and deep freeze. Full range of crocks, pots, utensils and spices to knock up your favourite dishes – under the stars. Hot, cold and drinking water on tap. Ice available.
Travel
Game viewing
Safety
Camping
Kitchen
Driver and up to 3 passengers – or a family of four – in comfort and safety. Walkie talkie comms to additional vehicle for larger groups.
Quiet interior, comfortable seating, front and rear air conditioning.
Excellent sound system for your own playlist.
Wifi, charging points and 220v AC.
Access ladder to roof top platform and bench seat with lap straps for excellent game viewing in parks.
New condition and excellently maintained.
All usual safety features plus bull bars, additional driving lights, fire extinguisher, first aid kit.
Two spare tyres (for remote, or trips over 8 days), tyre pressure monitors, compressor and puncture repair kit.
Tool kit and recovery equipment.
Spacious and comfortable iKamper roof tent for up to 2 adults and 2 children.
Ample cargo space for luggage and all camp equipment including comfortable camp chairs and dining table.
On board water supply and hot shower with duck boards and privacy cubicle.
Pull out awning shade/rain cover.
Ample dual electrics for night-time lighting and charging.
Ample storage for supplies of food and beverages.
Gas cooker, bbq, separate fridge and deep freeze.
Full range of crocks, pots, utensils and spices to knock up your favourite dishes – under the stars.
Hot, cold and drinking water on tap. Ice available.
What to expect
Well it’s not exactly rough – but it is outdoors.
Most likely Nick, or one of our expert guides, will travel with you as driver and guide.
Sighting the camp
When we arrive at camp, often after an active day in the parks or on the road, we will sight the camp arrangement and switch off. We will usually be the only people there.
Refreshing drink
Many people would like a drink and a favourite boast is to have you a gin and tonic with ice and fresh lemon, in your hand, within two minutes. Other drinks are available – a coke or a beer is quicker – a tea or coffee just needs the water to boil.
Setting up
While you wander around, taking in your new surroundings, we take a few minutes to set up camp for the evening: put up the chairs and dining table, put up the roof tents and arrange bedding. It takes around 10 minutes. Meanwhile, a ranger is in most cases setting up the campfire and, hey presto, we are ready to relax before dinner, take in the surroundings, perhaps the night sky and talk about the day.
Ablutions
Most people use this as an opportunity to shower, either at the camp facilities (if available and sometimes cold) or using our on-board hot shower. Showering in the evening enables a quicker start in the morning. Worth noting that when we are wild camping, there are NO facilities – therefore other than our own shower, all other ablutions are left to your imagination – though we do carry a toilet seat!
Dining
We then prepare dinner and dine in style under the night sky. In the unlikely event that it is raining, we set up under our spacious rain awning which also doubles as a shade for occasional breaks or lunch stops.
Mucking in
As you become more familiar with the set-up, we encourage you to muck in and to help with preparation, cooking and clearing up – especially in the mornings if on a quick departure – it adds to the experience. Overall, the set-up has been designed to be quick and easy and to provide for your comfort and convenience.
Safety
Your safety is very important to us and each location has been carefully selected either within a secure campground or relying on the protection of the local community or park rangers. Many locations aim to bring you close to wildlife where normal precautions apply and we will brief you on any specifics upon arrival.
Breaking camp
We will often be breaking camp early morning for a quick departure, therefore your support towards the common objective is required. As mentioned, showers are best during the evening to avoid delays. We will aim to set up for breakfast before you get up and with your help, will pack away the camp gear, tents and bedding to make ready for the day. If we all muck in this will only take around 10 – 15 minutes. And off we go!
Sighting the camp
Refreshing drink
Setting up
Ablutions
Dining
Mucking in
Safety
Breaking camp
When we arrive at camp, often after an active day in the parks or on the road, we will sight the camp arrangement and switch off. We will usually be the only people there.
Many people would like a drink and a favourite boast is to have you a gin and tonic with ice and fresh lemon, in your hand, within two minutes. Other drinks are available – a coke or a beer is quicker – a tea or coffee just needs the water to boil.
While you wander around, taking in your new surroundings, we take a few minutes to set up camp for the evening: put up the chairs and dining table, put up the roof tents and arrange bedding. It takes around 10 minutes. Meanwhile, a ranger is in most cases setting up the campfire and, hey presto, we are ready to relax before dinner, take in the surroundings, perhaps the night sky and talk about the day.
Most people use this as an opportunity to shower, either at the camp facilities (if available and sometimes cold) or using our on-board hot shower. Showering in the evening enables a quicker start in the morning. Worth noting that when we are wild camping, there are NO facilities – therefore other than our own shower, all other ablutions are left to your imagination – though we do carry a toilet seat!
We then prepare dinner and dine in style under the night sky. In the unlikely event that it is raining, we set up under our spacious rain awning which also doubles as a shade for occasional breaks or lunch stops.
As you become more familiar with the set-up, we encourage you to muck in and to help with preparation, cooking and clearing up – especially in the mornings if on a quick departure – it adds to the experience. Overall, the set-up has been designed to be quick and easy and to provide for your comfort and convenience.
Your safety is very important to us and each location has been carefully selected either within a secure campground or relying on the protection of the local community or park rangers. Many locations aim to bring you close to wildlife where normal precautions apply and we will brief you on any specifics upon arrival.
We will often be breaking camp early morning for a quick departure, therefore your support towards the common objective is required. As mentioned, showers are best during the evening to avoid delays. We will aim to set up for breakfast before you get up and with your help, will pack away the camp gear, tents and bedding to make ready for the day. If we all muck in this will only take around 10 – 15 minutes.
And off we go!
What to bring
Travel light but bring what you need.
Luggage
We try to limit trip luggage to a soft, zip up bag for your own personal items – please no larger than airline carry on size – to go in our cargo area. We have basic facilities for you to do laundry along the way, so no more than 4 – 5 changes should be required. Include small towel, toilet kit, personal meds
We have a separate shoe/boot drawer so no need to carry these in your personal luggage.
A small back-pack for valuables and ‘day items’ can be carried with you in the cabin for you to have what you need at hand for stops or treks. Add rain proof quality or a cover for trekking. Include charger cables, camera gear and binoculars, head torch, mosquito repellent, etc
Clothing
Mostly light, casual attire: shorts, t-shirts/short sleeved shirts, sandals or flip flops. Sun hat and sun cream.
Trekking: Well worn-in walking boots or trainers; long trousers, long sleeved shirt. Lightweight gloves, covid mask (for gorillas). Lightweight but good quality, rain proof jacket with hood and perhaps waterproof trousers – it probably won’t rain, but if it does…! Back-pack for waterproofs, personal items, camera, water and packed lunch – etc.
Camping: A light fleecy may be required for cool evenings. Covering up with long trousers/sleeves/socks provides protection from any mosquitoes if there are any about. Head torch (preferably with ‘red light’ option).
Equipment
Don’t openly carry expensive equipment – keep it out of sight in your back-pack so as not to draw attention.
Bring charger cables for phone, camera, music etc. Car has plenty of daytime and night-time USB charging points and 220V AC available for laptops, etc
Money
You will mostly need cash in local currency (Ugandan shillings) which can be exchanged here against most major currencies (US dollars, Euros or GB pounds). ATMs are also available though best to advise your bank before travelling here. It is best to sort money on day zero before departing on the trip though there are currency exchanges and ATMs at most major towns and cities as we go around – but this takes time and may require unnecessary detours.
Bring your credit and debit cards for top ups or emergencies though these are not yet a common means of payment for goods and services here and should not be relied upon.
Travel to Uganda
Flights. Our itineraries are based on flights arriving and departing from Entebbe International Airport – EBB.
Visa. Check visa requirements. If required (most likely), apply for an E-visa on-line at visas.immigration.go.ug
Medical
A yellow fever jab is required and others are recommended. Anti-malarial tablets are also advisable (malarone recommended by local doctors for local malaria strains). Consult your doctor. Yellow health card to show jabs must be produced at immigration on arrival. Remember also any personal medications.
Insurance: Personal Insurance recommended for travel, personal accident or injury; loss, damage or theft of money or valuables, etc. Remember, this is adventure travel: we recommend World Nomads or similar.
Sim Card
Roaming can be expensive. Consider purchasing a local MTN or Airtel SIM card on arrival at the airport – available in the airport baggage hall. These can easily be topped up as we go.
There is phone/data signal available in most locations though patchy in remote areas and National Parks. Car has mobile data – when signal available.
Valuables
Money, visa cards and passport etc are best concealed on your person or in money belts. Avoid obvious belt pouches or similar as these present a clear target. Thefts are not especially common in Uganda, especially outside of the cities, but always best to take precautions.
